Traction device for picking or packing objects

ABSTRACT

A traction device for use in picking or gripping or packaging objects. The traction device draws an object ( 4 ) into its interior. It comprises ( 16 ) a surface of deformable material, shaped substantially as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to an interior and an actuator ( 6 ) for moving the surface to draw the object into the interior. The surface of deformable material may be a part of a fluid-filled ( 20 ) toroid body. The traction device can be used in combination with a bag ( 42 ) to bag an object.

[0001] The present invention relates to a traction device, which can be used for picking or gripping or bagging or packaging objects.

[0002] Current picking/gripping aids are only suitable for picking/gripping a limited range of objects.

[0003] It would be desirable to provide a device, which can pick/grip a wide range of objects.

[0004] It would be desirable to prevent a user of the device coming into contact with the object.

[0005] In the following, the term “toroid” is used to designate a shape approximating to that generated by a closed curve rotated about, but not intersecting, an axis in its own plane. The closed curve may or may not contain the axis.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a traction device, for drawing an object into its interior, comprising: a surface of deformable material, shaped as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to an interior and an actuator for moving the surface to draw the object into the interior.

[0007] Preferably, the tubular portion forms the interior and the portion at which the surface turns inside out forms the opening. The traction device is a friction traction device, which uses friction to draw an object into its interior. The surface preferably has surface irregularities, which, in use, provide friction between an object and the surface. There is preferably a support for supporting the surface. The support may comprise a skeleton to which the deformable material is attached or it may be comprised of a fluid located adjacent the surface. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably

[0008] some means for maintaining tension in the surface as it is moved. The body may contain fluid located adjacent the surface which tensions the surface. The traction device may be used to draw multiple objects sequentially into its interior as the opening will be present after an object has been drawn wholly into the interior.

[0009] The traction device may comprise a tube of deformable material with an end portion turned inside-out. The tube is preferably cylindrical. The diameter of the tube is preferably dimensioned to exceed the maximum width of the object that the traction device is designed to pick up. Both end portions of the tube may be turned inside out and joined to form a toroid. Alternatively, the traction device may comprise a toroid made from deformable material and providing the surface. The toroid may be filled with fluid.

[0010] The toroid may be filled entirely with fluid. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably an inlet, which allows fluid to be added or removed. The fluid may be changed depending upon the ambient environment in which the traction device is used.

[0011] The actuator is coupled to the surface but may be detachable. The actuator may be attached or attachable to pull the surface. For example, if the surface is provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the interior passage of the toroid. The actuator may be attached or attachable to push the surface. For example, if the surface is provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the exterior of the toroid.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a deformable bag for use with a traction device formed from a water impermeable material and sized to fit, snugly, inside out, over the opening such that as the surface at the opening moves into the interior it draws the object into the bag and moves the bagged object into the interior. The deformable bag may have exterior or interior surface having surface irregularities that, in use, provide a frictional force between the exterior surface of the bag and the surface of the traction device and objected being collected.

[0013] The bag may comprise adhesive so that when the traction device draws a bagged object into its interior, the bag self-seals.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a traction device, for drawing an object at least partially into its interior, comprising: a body having a length and comprising an opening at one end of its length, an interior accessible through the opening, a first flexible movable surface portion extending lengthwise at least from the interior to the opening and at least a second flexible movable surface portion extending lengthwise at least from the interior to the opening, wherein the first and second surface portions, as they extend from the interior diverge and form the opening; and an actuator for moving the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening together into the interior.

[0015] There is preferably a support for supporting the first and second flexible movable surface portions. The support may comprise a skeleton to which the deformable material is attached or it may be comprised of a fluid located adjacent the first and second flexible surface portions. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably some means for maintaining tension in the first and second flexible surface portions as they are moved. The body may contain fluid located adjacent the first and second flexible surface portions which tensions the first and second flexible surface portions. The first flexible movable portion and the second flexible movable surface portion may be portions of one surface of deformable material. The traction device may be used to draw multiple objects sequentially into its interior as the opening is present after an object has been drawn wholly into the interior. The first and second flexible movable surface portions preferably have surface irregularities which, in use, provide a frictional force between an object and the first and second movable surface portions.

[0016] The body may comprise a tube of deformable material where the first and second movable surface portions are portions of a surface of the tube. The tube is preferably cylindrical. The diameter of the tube may be dimensioned to

[0017] exceed the maximum width of the object which the traction device is designed to pick up. The first and second movable surface portions may be portions of an interior surface of the tube, where an end portion of the tube is turned inside out. Both end portions of the tube may be turned inside out and joined to form a toroid. Alternatively, the body may comprise a toroid made from deformable material, the exterior surface of the toroid providing the first and second flexible surface portions. The toroid may be filled with fluid.

[0018] The toroid may be filled entirely with fluid. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably an inlet, which allows fluid to be added or removed. The density of the liquid used may be changed depending upon the ambient environment.

[0019] The actuator may be detachable. The actuator may be attached or attachable to the first and second flexible surface portions to pull them together. For example, if the first and second flexible surface portions are provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the interior of the toroid. The actuator may be attached or attachable to the first and second flexible surface portions to push them. For example, if the first and second movable surface portions are portions of a surface of the tube are provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the exterior of the toroid.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a deformable bag for use with a traction device as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a water impermeable material and sized to fit, snugly, inside out, onto the body and cover the opening such that as the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening move together into the interior they draw the object into the bag and move the bagged object into the interior. Both exterior and interior surfaces of the bag may have surface irregularities which, in use, provide a frictional force between the exterior surface of the bag and the first and second movable surface portions of the traction device or the object to be collected. The bag may comprise adhesive so that when the traction device draws a bagged object into its interior, the bag self-seals.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a deformable bag, for use with a friction traction device, sized to fit, inside out, over the opening of the traction device and comprising material on the exterior or interior surface of the bag having an irregular surface which, in use, provides friction between the exterior surface of the bag and the traction device or the object to be collected.

[0022] The traction device and bag may be used to collect animal faeces. The traction device may be used as a medical prosthesis.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for packaging an object comprising: an air filled body comprising deformable material and having a substantially toroidal shape with an opening to the interior of the body; and an attachable/detachable actuator for pulling the deformable material to draw an object through the opening into the interior of the body. Another aspect of the invention relates to a packaged object comprising an object housed in the interior of an air filled toroid body. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of packaging an object comprising the steps of: a) providing an air filled body comprising deformable material and having a substantially toroidal shape with an opening to the interior of the body; b) placing the opening of the body over the object; and c) moving the deformable material to draw the object into the interior.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of picking, gripping or packaging an object comprising the steps of: a) providing a body with a surface, shaped as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to the interior of the body; b) placing the opening of the body over the object so that the object touches the surface; and c) moving the surface to draw the object into the interior. This method may be adapted to bag faeces by, before step b), placing a bag, inside out, over the body so that it covers the opening.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a traction device comprising the steps of: forming a

[0026] body by turning both the end portions of a tube of deformable material inside-out and joining the ends; fining the body with fluid; and attaching an actuator to the body.

[0027] According to a final aspect of the present invention there is provided a traction device, for drawing an object into its interior, comprising: a toroid body of deformable material having an opening to the interior and an actuator for rolling the surface of the toroid. The toroid body preferably comprises fluid over which the surface rolls.

[0028] For a better understanding of the present invention reference win now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a traction device;

[0030]FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a traction device, primed for use;

[0031]FIG. 3 shows a traction device in use;

[0032]FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a traction device;

[0033]FIGS. 5a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d and 5 e show a traction device being used to bag an object; and

[0034]FIGS. 6a, 6 b, 6 c and 6 d illustrate the manufacture of a portion of the traction device.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is illustrated a traction device 2 for use in picking, gripping or packaging an object 4. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, the object 4 is irregular and the traction device 2 is used to pick up and grip the object 4.

[0036] The traction device comprises a toroid body 10 and an actuator 6. The toroid body 10 is elongate and has an opening 12 at one end, which gives access to an interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10. The toroid body 10 is formed from elastically/resiliently deformable material. The deformable material is preferably a flexible polymer (e.g. natural rubber), but could be made from other impermeable material/materials with a suitably high coefficient of friction.

[0037] The toroid body 10 has a continuous surface 16. Opposing portions 16 a, 16 b and 16 c of the surface 16 diverge from each other to form the opening 12 and run substantially parallel to each other to form the interior passage 14. The surface 16 in this example is shown as smooth but in other embodiments it may have surface irregularities, such as bumps or ribs, for increasing the coefficient of friction of the surface 16.

[0038] The toroid body 10 has an internal cavity formed by the surface 16, which is filled with fluid 20. The fluid 20 supports and tensions the surface 16 of the toroid body 10. Preferably, the toroid body 10 is entirely filled with fluid 20. There are, however, other alternatives for supporting and tensioning the surface 16. One alternative is to provide a resiliently flexible skeleton comprising supporting strips in the internal cavity of the toroid body 10 to which the deformable material defining surface 16 is attached. Another alternative, is to provide one or more fluid impermeable bodies inside the toroid body 10 with fluid filling the gaps between the fluid impermeable bodies and deformable material defining the surface 16.

[0039] Liquid or pressurised gas is used as the fluid 20. An inlet 22 is provided through the surface 16 of the toroid body 10. This allows the pressure of the gas to be varied and the fluid to be changed. The density of the fluid used may be varied to make the traction device 2 neutrally buoyant in an underwater environment For example, if the traction device 2 is used in a marine environment the toroid body 10 may be filled with saline solution. However, if the traction device 2 is used in a fresh water environment, the toroid body 10 may be filled with fresh water.

[0040] The actuator 6, which in this example is a hollow rod, is coupled to the surface 16 where it forms the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10. The actuator 6 may be physically attached to the surface 16 where it forms the interior passage 14. Alternatively, the actuator 6 may be coupled by frictional forces between the surface 16 and the actuator 6.

[0041] The operation of the traction device 2 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The traction device 2 is brought towards the object 4 until the diverging opposing surface portions 16 a, 16 b and 16 c at the opening 12 touch the surface of the object 4. As the actuator 6 is drawn away from the object 4 as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2 and the exterior surface of the toroid body 10 is pushed by hand towards the object 4, as indicated by arrow B, the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 rolls around the supporting fluid 20 and draws the object 4 into the interior passage 14 as illustrated in FIG. 3. As the opposing surface portions 16 a, 16 b and 16 c at the opening 12 are drawn inwards and upwards into the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10, they grip the object 4 and pull it, at least partially, into the interior passage 14. The surface 16 defining the interior passage 14 conforms to the shape of the object 4 and the traction device 2 grips the object 4 using a combination of friction between the object 4 and the surface 16 and pressure on the object from the fluid 20 and/or the elastic deformation of the surface 16 adjacent the object 4. Thus the traction device 2 firmly grips irregular shaped objects without breaking them and can be used with a variety of differently sized and shaped objects 4 without being modified. The object which is gripped by the traction device 4 may be something that a user wishes to pick-up or something that the user wishes to grip and turn such as a tap.

[0042] In this example, the object 4 is irregular and cannot be drawn wholly into the interior passage 14. However, if the object were smaller for example the size of the head portion 4 a of the object 4, then it would be drawn wholly within into the interior passage 14. Once the object has been wholly drawn into the interior passage 14, the toroid body 10 regains its shape and the opening 12 formed by diverging portions 16 a, 16 b and 16 c of the surface of the toroid body

[0043]10 re-forms and the traction device 2 is then able to pick up another object. Thus, the traction device 2 may be used to sequentially draw up a number of objects one after the other, each of the multiple objects being held in the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10.

[0044]FIG. 4 illustrates a traction device 2 having an alternative actuator 6, which allows a user to be remote from the object 4. The actuator 6 comprises a manual control 30, an external frame 32 and an internal rod 34. The external frame 32 is coupled to the exterior of the toroid body 10 and the rod 34 is coupled to the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10. According to one embodiment, when the manual control 30 is actuated, the external frame 32 of the actuator 6 is moved towards the object 4 (relative to the manual control 30) with the rod 34 remaining stationary (relative to the manual control 30). This pushes the external surface of the toroid body 10 towards the object 4. According to another embodiment, the external frame 32 remains stationary (relative to the manual control 30) while the rod 34 is moved away from the object 4 (relative to the manual control 30). This pulls the surface of the toroid body 10 in the interior passage 14 away from the object 4. The relative motions of the external frame 32 and the rod 34 cause the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 to roll about its supporting fluid 20 and to pick up the object 4. The manual control 30 may comprise gearing or a power source for operating the rod 34 and external frame 32.

[0045]FIGS. 5a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d and 5 e illustrate the use of the traction device 2 in bagging an object 4. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the object 4 is animal faeces and the traction device 2 is used to collect and bag the animal faeces. FIGS. 5a and 5 b illustrate a traction device 2 as previously described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 3. However, the actuator 6 in FIGS. 5a and 5 b has been modified. The actuator 6 functions as a bag dispenser. There is a dispenser 40 of bags 42 in the handle 44 of the actuator 6. The dispenser holds a continuous tear-type roll of bags 42. A bag 42 is formed from a water impermeable, deformable material. The bag 42 is sized to fit snugly over the exterior of toroid body 10 and cover the opening 12 to the interior passage 14 as shown in FIG. 5b. The bag 42 is fitted inside out over the toroid body 10 so that its interior surface 41 a is exposed to the object 4 and its exterior surface 41 b makes contact with the diverging opposing surface portions 16 a, 16 b and 16 c of the toroid body 10. The surfaces 41 a and 41 b preferably has surface irregularities, such as bumps or ribs, to increase its coefficient of friction.

[0046] When the traction device 2 is used by pulling (arrow A) the actuator away from the object 4 and pushing (arrows B) the exterior surface 12 of the toroid body 10 towards the object 4, the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 rolls (arrows C) about the supporting fluid 20 and the bag 42 moves along with the surface 16 and is drawn into the interior passage 14. As the interior surfaces 41 a of the bag 42 at the opening 12 are drawn inwards and upwards into the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10 they grip the object 4 through the bag 42 and the object 4 and bag 42 move into the interior passage 14 bagging the object 4.

[0047] The portions of the bag 42 that still remain outside the interior passage 14, can be drawn together and tied into a knot as shown in FIG. 5d. Alternatively, the bag 42 can have adhesive portions on its interior surface 41 a. In this case the bagged object 4 is drawn sufficiently far into the interior passage 14 so that the adhesive portions of the bag 42 are also drawn into the interior passage 14 where they come into contact and seal the bag 42.

[0048] The bag can then be removed by pushing (arrow A′) the actuator 6 and pulling (arrows B′) the exterior surface if the toroid body 10. The surface 16 rolls (arrows C′) around the supporting fluid 20 and moves the bagged object 4 towards the opening 12 where it can be removed as shown in FIG. 5e.

[0049] Preferably the bag 42 on the exterior of the toroid body 10, is attached to the dispenser 40 of bags 42. As the bagged object is pulled away from the traction device 2 as shown in FIG. 5e, the next bag is drawn, via the hollow actuator 6, through the opening 12 of the toroid body 10. The user can therefore pull the next bag out from the dispenser 40 and place it over the exterior of the toroid body 10. Thus the traction device 2 is primed for picking up another undesirable object 4.

[0050] Another application of the traction device 2, is as a medical prosthesis. The prosthesis would provide for the picking up of an object/objects 4 by, for example, the actuator 6 in FIG. 4 being attached to the remaining part of a person's limb.

[0051] Another application of the traction device 2 is in protectively packaging an object, for example, for delivery by postal services. The packaged object will be protected from damage during transit. In this example, the toroid body 10 is preferably filled with air and the actuator 6 is detachable. When the object 4, to be packaged, is drawn into the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10, the actuator 6 is detached. Thus the object 4 is suspended within the toroid body 10 and held in position by the surface 16 forming the interior passage 14. Alternatively, the toroid body 10, without an actuator attached, is pushed over the object 4, and the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 rolls over the object 4 and draws it into the interior passage 14.

[0052]FIGS. 6a, 6 b, 6 c and 6 d illustrate the manufacture of a toroid body 10. FIG. 6a illustrates a tube 50 of deformable material. The tube 50 has an interior surface 52 and an exterior surface 54, an end portion of the tube 50 is turned inside out as illustrated in FIG. 6b. When the end portion of the tube is turned inside out, a portion 54 a of the external surface 54 opposes the external surface 54 of the tube 50 and a portion 52 a of the internal surface 52 of the tube 50 becomes an exterior surface. The other end of the tube 50 is also turned inside out as shown in FIG. 6c and the ends of the tubes are joined as shown in FIG. 6d to form the toroid body 10. Thus the exterior surface 16 of the toroid body 10 is formed from the interior surface 52 of the tube 50. The tube 50 is preferably cylindrical. Fluid is then supplied to the internal cavity of the toroid body 10 formed by the exterior surface 54 of the tube 50. The diameter of the tube is larger than the maximum width of the object 4 that the traction device is intended to be used with.

[0053] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. 

1. A traction device, for drawing an object into its interior, comprising: a surface of deformable material, shaped substantially as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to an interior and an actuator for moving the surface to draw the object into the interior.
 2. A traction device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a tube of deformable material with an end portion turned inside-out.
 3. A traction device as claimed in claim 2, wherein both end portions of the tube are turned inside out and joined to form a toroid.
 4. A traction device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a toroid made from deformable material and providing the surface.
 5. A traction device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the toroid is filled with fluid.
 6. A deformable bag for use with a traction device as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a water impermeable material and sized to fit, inside out, over the opening such that as the surface at the opening moves into the interior it draws the object into the bag and moves the bagged object into the interior.
 7. A deformable bag as claimed in claim 6 sized to fit snugly, inside out, onto the body and cover the opening.
 8. A deformable bag as claimed in claim 6 or 7 with an exterior or interior surface having surface irregularities which, in use, provide a frictional force between the exterior surface of the bag and the first and second movable surface portions of the traction device or the object to be collected.
 9. A deformable bag as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 comprising adhesive so that when the traction device draws a bagged object into its interior, the bag seals.
 10. A traction device, for drawing an object at least partially into its interior, comprising: a body having a length and comprising an opening at one end of its length, an interior accessible through the opening, a first flexible movable surface portion extending lengthwise at least from the interior to the opening and at least a second flexible movable surface portion extending lengthwise at least from the interior to the opening, wherein the first and second surface portions, as they extend from the interior diverge and form the opening; and an actuator for moving the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening together into the interior.
 11. A traction device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the body comprises a tube of deformable material and the first and second movable surface portions are portions of a surface of the tube.
 12. A traction device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second movable surface portions are portions of an interior surface of the tube, and an end portion of the tube is turned inside out.
 13. A traction device as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein both end portions of the tube are turned inside out and joined to form a toroid.
 14. A traction device as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the body comprises a toroid made from deformable material, the exterior surface of the toroid providing the first and second flexible surface portions.
 15. A traction device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the toroid is filled with fluid.
 16. A deformable bag for use with a traction device as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a water impermeable material and sized to fit, inside out, onto the body and cover the opening such that as the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening move together into the interior they draw the object into the bag and move the bagged object into the interior.
 17. A deformable bag as claimed in claim 16 sized to fit snugly, inside out, onto the body and cover the opening.
 18. A deformable bag as claimed in claim 16 or 17 with an exterior and or interior surface having surface irregularities which, in use, provide a frictional force between the exterior surface of the bag and the first and second movable surface portions of the traction device or the object to be collected.
 19. A deformable bag as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 comprising adhesive so that when the traction device draws a bagged object into its interior, the bag seals.
 20. A frictional traction device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
 21. A deformable bag, for use with a friction traction device, sized to fit, inside out, over the opening of the traction device and comprising material on the exterior and or interior surface of the bag having an irregular surface which, in use, provides friction between the exterior surface of the bag and the traction device and or the object being collected.
 22. A faeces collector comprising the traction device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 or 10 to
 15. 23. A system for faeces collection comprising the traction device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 and at least one bag as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 or the traction device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 and at least one bag as claimed in any one of claims 16 to
 19. 24. A medical prosthesis comprising the traction device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 or 10 to
 15. 25. A system for packaging an object comprising: a fluid filled body comprising deformable material and having a substantially toroidal shape with an opening to the interior of the body; and an attachable/detachable actuator for pulling the deformable material to draw an object through the opening into the interior of the body.
 26. A body of substantially toroidal shape for use in the system of claim
 25. 27. A packaged object comprising an object housed in the interior of a fluid filled body of substantially toroidal shape.
 28. A method of packaging an object comprising the steps of: a) providing a fluid filled body comprising deformable material and having a substantially toroidal shape with an opening to the interior of the body b) placing the opening of the body over the object; and c) moving the deformable material to draw the object into the interior.
 29. A method of picking, gripping or packaging an object or substance comprising the steps of: a) providing a body with a surface, shaped as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to the interior of the body; b) placing the opening of the body over the object or substance so that the object or substance touches the surface; and c) moving the surface to draw the object into the interior.
 30. A method of bagging faeces comprising the method as claimed in claim 29, but further comprising, before step b) placing a bag, inside out, over the body so that it covers the opening.
 31. A method of manufacturing a traction device comprising the steps of: forming a body by turning both the end portions of a tube of deformable material inside-out and joining the ends; filling the body with fluid; and attaching an actuator to the body.
 32. A traction device, for drawing an object into its interior, comprising: a toroid body of deformable material having an opening to the interior and an actuator for rolling the surface of the toroid.
 33. A traction device as claimed in claim 32 wherein the toroid body comprises fluid over which the surface rolls. 